Erkin Cavus

To many, Istanbul represents a place of longing, a place surrounded by myths and traditions, while others consider it a symbol for economic progress. Since the Gezi Park protests in 2013, Western Europe sees more in the picturesque metropolis by the Bosporus than just the Hagia Sofia and other cultural monuments. Social developments are also noticed. Guitarist Erkin Cavus spent many years of his life in the gigantic, crowded and often hectic city. He made his career there and played alongside famous artists before he moved to Germany about four years ago.

Now Cavus, together with Reentko Dirks, presents a musical monument for the historic Istanbul. It is inspired by pictures of the famous photographer Ara Güler (1928-2018), who was a sensitive and detail-loving observer and became the chronicler of life in his hometown. His photographs of the meanwhile faded, partly irrecoverably destroyed Istanbul and its once highly diverse neighborhoods have been in museums for a long time.

“What he achieved visually, we want to realize musically: to capture and preserve a world that no longer exists, but whose echoes are still noticeable,” Reentko Dirks explains. The outcome is suggestive snapshots, played with finesse and nuance. The duo deliberately concentrates on mostly quiet sounds, which associate the comparatively slow life back then. The calm soundscape also constitutes a statement about the present. It contrasts today’s omnipresent noise, whether in traffic or daily language.

Thus, there is also a political stance resonating in the music that finds its continuation in the booklet: Istanbul 1900 is dedicated to 150,000 traditional merchants, artists and workers that lost their jobs in 2020.

PERSONNEL:

• Erkin Cavus - (acoustic double neck guitar)
• Reentko Dirks - (bariton guitar, octave guitar)

TRACKS:

• SIDE A
• A1. Galata Liman
• A2. Ara
• A3. Sokak Arasi
• A4. Kadikoey Liman
• A5. Moda

• SIDE B
• B1. Maksim
• B2. Vefa
• B3. Pera
• B4. Mertan